(LibertySociety.com) – Former President Trump is making gains across the board in the months leading up to the election, leaving President Biden’s campaign scrambling to regain lost support in key demographics.
Historically, Democrats have enjoyed a boost from celebrities and influencers, but an increasing number of prominent figures have begun publicly supporting Trump. A journalist named Kadia Goba recently spoke to several black athletes who have been friends with Trump for many years. She said that their opinions of the former president “represent a recognizable part” of Trump’s affiliation with black culture.
Baseball icon Daryl Strawberry told Goba, “People are hoping that he comes back,” adding that he knew several athletes who felt that way. He said that some public figures feared public backlash or losing their careers if they supported Trump. He used himself as an example of someone who successfully weathered the scrutiny. Former NFL player Herschel Walker, who also ran for the United States Senate in 2022, has been friends with Trump since the 1980s. He recalled how their friendship developed quickly and mentioned Trump’s willingness to trust him to take Donald Trump Jr. to Disney World.
Walker does not believe that Trump has an issue connecting with black voters. He also finds it offensive that some people expect him to explain why he would support Trump, given that he is a black man. Trump sparked fears among Democrats, especially in New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, when he held a rally in a predominately black area of South Bronx in May. One resident told a media outlet that his appearance was significant because no other presidents had visited the neighborhood Trump chose to visit.
Former professional boxing champion Mike Tyson likened Trump’s media treatment to the way that black people were once treated. Don King, a famous boxing promoter, told Goba that Trump was relatable to black people because he was also always perceived to be guilty of every accusation, whether true or not. During Goba’s interview with Trump, the pair discussed the historical First Step Act, which reformed the criminal justice system during the Trump administration, and Trump’s plan to expand upon it during his second term. Trump also told Goba that Hispanic people were also unfairly targeted by the justice system. Goba also spoke with two younger public figures in the sports world who expressed support for Trump.
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